Swimming-instructing machine



' 1927. 1,620,146 March 8 T. A. WALTON SWIMMING INSTRUCTING MACHINE Filed Dec. e, 1925 2 sheet's sheet 1 gnaw/tarot Thomas H. Walton 61cm neg 1927. March 8 I 'r. A. WALTON SWIMMING INSTRUCTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7mm. h/al zan W1 vwzsszr s gmma Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

UlTED STATES ATENT. OFFICE.

' THOMAS A. WALTON, OF SCRANTON, PENNESYLVANIA. 3

Application filed December 6, 1923.

swimming and at the sametime exercise and thereby strengthen the desired muscles.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this nature which is adjustable so that it may be utillzed' by different pupils regardless of their size.

With the above and numerousother objects in view as will appearas the descrip tion progresses, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view .of the apparatus embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a detail side elevation on an enlarged scale showing the arm-exercising crank; and

Figure 4 is a detail elevation on an e11- larged scale of the leg-exercising crank.

Referring to the drawing in detail it will be seen that the apparatus includes a forward support consisting of two standards 1 and a rearward support including two standards 2. These supports are adjustably connected to each other" by means of plates 3 and 4, the plate 3 being provided with marginal over-hanging flanges 5 for receiving the edges of the plate 4 as is indicated to advantage in Figure 1 wherebyjthese two plates may be extended or retracted in relation to each other thus moving the standards 1 and 2 away from or toward each other.

A platform 5 is supported on the standards 1 and extends rearwardly toward the standards 2. A block 6 is positioned on this platform by means of threaded studs 7 passing through the slot 8 thereof. Thus by loosening the nuts 9 on the studs 7 the block 6 may be adjusted longitudinally of the platform. This block 6 is so formed as to comfortably support a person in a substantially prone position as shown in Figure 2. The platform 5 includes a plate or extension 11 extending transversely thereof and supported on the upper ends of the standards 1. This plate is provided wlth' longitudinally extending slots 12. A journal bracket 13 is associated with each SWIMMING-INSTRUGTING MACHINE.

Serial No. 679,042.

slot as is indicated to advantage in Figure 3 and a bolt 14 is associated therewith so that the bracket may be locked in any longitudinal adjusted position on the plate by means of a=nut 15. A shaft 16 is journaled through each journal bracket 13 and in a similar journal 13 provided on the plate 3. A crank 17 is disposed on the upper end of this shaft above the plate 11 and is provided with, a longitudinally extending slot 18. A

shank 19 of a knob. 20 pierces the slot 18 and is adapted to be held inadjusted position therein by meansof a nut 21. Al sleeve 22 is disposed about the shank so that the same may be readily rotated at all times in respect to the crank 17.

The rear standard 2 supports the plate 4 intermediate their. ends and-the plate 24at their upper ends. The plate 4 is provided with longitudinally extending slots 25 for receiving journal. brackets 26 which are similar in construction to' journal brackets 13. Shafts 27 are journaled through these brackets 26 and in similar brackets longitudinally adjustable on plate 4 similar. to brackets 13. able with the shafts 27 so that chains 29 may be trained thereover and also over sprocket wheels 30 on the shafts 16 so that one shaft 16 will operate in unison with one shaft 27. Each shaft 27 is provided with a crank 31 similar in construction to the crank 17 and a foot-receiving member. 32 is adjustably mounted thereon. As is shown to advantage in Figure 4 the depending stems 33 of these Sprocket wheels 28 are rotatfoot-receiving members 32 "are mounted in sleeves 34 carried in the slots of the cranks Thus the members 32 are free to'rota'te but are nevertheless held in any desired adjusted position These members 32 31 and held in place bynuts 35.

trained thereover for operation of the shafts 16 in unison with each other but in opposite directions, this being accomplished by merely crossing the chains.

The pupil lies in a prone position resting on the block 6 as indicated in Figure 2 and grasps the knobs 20 with his hands and places his feet in the members 32'. He then rotates the cranks 17- in imitation of the usual breast stroke and it will be seensinv ing cranks rota-tably'mounted in the upper mediately that this apparatus will: cause him to; move his arms and legs in proper unison with each other in imitation of the breast stroke whereby hewill, be accustomed to the motion andwill strengthen those muscles necessary in swimmingthis stroke.

From; theforegoing description. taken in connection With: the accompanying. drawings, the advantages of the construction and. the method of operation, will: be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the imcentien; appertains, and. While I have describedthe: principle of operation together with the: dBYiCGzWhlCh I now consider to be the best: embodiment thereof I} desire torhave itunderst'ood that the: device shown is merely illustrative and that such. changes in the details of construction and in the combination and: arrangement of parts may: be resorted toiwithout departing from the scope oh the intention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1'. apparatus of the class described lucludmg a pair of supports, extenslon plates securedl adjacent. the lower ends of the supports. and. arranged: for adjustable con.-

1186 614011, a rearwardly projecting platform.

secured: adjacent the upper end of the forward support, meansmounted on the platform: for supporting a body in prone posir tion,.armexercising crank-s rotatably mounted at. the upper extremity of the forward support, leg exercising cranksmounted on. the; upper end. of the rear support, and

means; whereby the cranks; may be operated:

uniformly;

2:. An. apparatus; of the class described including a. pair of supports arranged in spaced relation, engageable extensions formedon the. su portsadj acent the lowerends arrangedni'or adjustable connection, arearwardily extending platform formed adjacent the upper'end: ofthe forward support, a rest block mounted on the platform forsupporting' the body in prone position, arm exercising cranks, rotatably mounted in the upper end. of the forward support, engaging knobs movably mounted; in. the cranks adjustable to; vary the radius of the are described by rotary movementof theknobs, leg exercisend of the rear support, foot engaging cups adjustably mounted on the exercising cranks arranged to vary the radius of the circle described by the cups, and means for operating the cranks simultaneously.

8; An apparatus of the character described including a pair. of supports, a pair of engageable extensions carried: by the supports and arranged for longitudinal adjustment of the supports, arm exercising cranks rotatably mounted in the upper end of the for- Ward support, leg exercising cranks rotatably mounted in the upper end of the rear support, means for operating the cranks at a. uniform. rate of speed, a platform extending rearwardly from the upper portion of the front support, and a rest block adjustably mounted on. the platform. to. permit longitudinal adjustment of the block relative to the cranks. I

4. An apparatus of the character-described; including a. pair of supporting mem1bers,.engageable extensions secured adjacent the lower ends of the supporting members; arranged for longitudinal' adjustment ofthe supports, a. platform mounted. in an. elevated position onthe forward; support and an ranged; to. support; a body, thereon;,.r.0tatable arm. exercising cranks mounted onthey platform, an extensionplate mounted on: the real! supporting member, rotatable leg exercising cranks mounted. in the said extension plate, the said: arm exercising cranks; being anranged in an elevated position relativetoithe; leg exercising cranks for convenient Operation, and means for simultaneouslyrotating the cranks; at a. uniform speech 5. Anapparatus of the character described including a pairof spaced; supportingmemhers, engageable; extensions secured. to the supporting member and arranged, for adjustment. Of the supporting members to or 100 away from; each other, a platform mounted on: the forward. supporting. mem er including a transversely extending plate and a rearwardly extending; plate forme at the. intermediate portion of the platform, arnr 105 exercising cranks rotatably mounted on the; transverse plate of the platform and: arranged; for lateral adjustment, a rest block adjustablymounted on the rearward-1y extending plate of the platform, a transversely 110 extending plate secured; upon the rear sup,- porting member, leg exercising cranks I20}- tatably mounted upon the said transverse plate on. the rear supporting member arranged for lateral; adjustment, and means 115 01. operating the said cranks at a, uniform rate of speed.

6. An apparatus of the character described including a. pair of supporting members connected: for longitudinal: adjustment, arm. 120 exercising cranks, mounted; in; the forward supporting member, leg exercising cranks. mounted on the rear supporting .member, means-for laterally adjusting-the said arm. and leg exercising cranks including crank; 125 supporting brackets arranged fer lateral; movement on the supporting members, and means for operating the; cranks at a uniform rate offspeed,

7.. Aniapparatus of the character described 3 including a pair of spaced supports composed of a pair of laterally spaced standards, extension plates secured adjacent the lower ends of the supporting standards and slidably engageable for longitudinal adjustment of the supports, the forward standards being longer than the rear standards, a platform secured upon the forward standards including a transversely extending crank plate having longitudinal slots formed therein, a rearwardly extending plate connecting with the central portion of the transverse plate and having a longitudinal slot therein, crank supporting brackets adjustably mounted in the slot of the transverse plate, arm exercis- 15 ing cranks rotatably mounted in the said brackets, a rest block adjustably connected with the rearwardly extending platform plate, a second transversely extending plate secured upon the rear support standards and having longitudinal slots formed therein, crank supporting brackets adjustably mounted in the said plate slots, arm exercising cranks rotatably mounted in the brackets,

and means for rotating the said arm and leg 25 exercising cranks simultaneously.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

THOMAS A. WALTON. 

